Are you looking for a delicious and nutritious snack option? Consider eating longan! This exotic fruit is packed with nutritional goodness and is easy to enjoy. Keep reading for the ultimate guide to eating longan.
A lot of people often find it challenging to eat longan because they don’t know how to do it properly.
Here we explain everything about this exotic fruit so you don’t stop enjoying its flavor.
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What is longan
Longan is the white-fleshed exotic fruit with the botanical name Dimocarpus Longan.
This tropical fruit is closely related to lychee fruit and rambutans.
The fruit is about the size of a grape, with a brownish-red outer shell and a white fleshy interior.
These small, tasty treats have a tan color, and when cracked open, they reveal a lovely white flesh with a dazzling black seed–the dragon eye fruit.
Longans are often used in Asian cuisine, either fresh or dried.
When eaten fresh, the juicy pulp has a sweet and slightly tangy flavor.
Dried longan is often used in soups and stews and can also be rehydrated and eaten as a snack.
Longans are native to Southeast Asia, but are now grown in many tropical areas worldwide.
In addition to being eaten fresh, you can use longans to make wine, jam, and flavored syrup.
More about Asian fruits? Read our post here.
Health benefits of longan fruit
In addition to being a tasty treat, it is considered a superfood and offers several health benefits.
For instance, they are a good source of vitamins B and C and potassium.
Longans also contain flavonoids, which are antioxidants that can help to protect cells from damage.
Moreover, some scientific studies have shown that longans may have anti-inflammatory properties.
So if you’re looking for a delicious way to boost your health, add some longans to your diet.
Want to eat longan fruit? Check it’s nutritional values
Longan is a low-calorie tropical fruit.
One hundred grams of longan has 60 kcal.
This fruit is relatively high in carbohydrates, which can spike blood sugar levels.
Nutritionally, longan is a rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants.
They also contain potassium, copper, and manganese.
These nutrients are essential for maintaining healthy skin and bones and supporting the immune system.
Additionally, the antioxidants in longans may help to protect against cancer and other chronic diseases.
Overall, longans are a nutritious and delicious fruit that you can enjoy in many different ways.
Whether you eat it as is, add it to a fruit salad, or use it to make a smoothie or ice cream, longan is a great way to boost your health.
Here you can find more nutritional info on longan fruit.
How to eat longan
Longan is a type of fruit that people often find challenging to eat because they don’t know how to do it correctly.
Let’s take a look at how to enjoy:
- Before eating the fresh fruit, you will need to wash it.
- Use a knife or your fingers to crack the shell.
- Remove the shell.
- Take out the black seed but not eat it.
- Take a bite of the translucent flesh.
- Finally, enjoy it as is or add it to your favorite dish.
What does longan fruit taste like?
If you’ve never had longan fruit before, you might be wondering what they taste like.
In general, longan is a small juicy fruit with a sweet taste similar to grapes.
However, they can also vary somewhat in terms of flavor, depending on the variety.
Some longans may be slightly tart, while others may have floral or citrus flavor hints.
Overall, longans is a refreshing and delicious fruit that makes a great snack or addition to any fruit salad.
So if you’re looking for something new to try, why not give longans a shot?
You might just find yourself falling in love with them.
Read our post on Fruits That Start With L.
How to use longan
There are many ways to consume longan, whether raw or cooked, in various desserts, in a salad, or as part of Asian cuisine and soups.
It is a fantastic snack you can eat alone.
You can freeze the whole fruit – shell and all – for a wonderful treat on a hot day.
Fresh longan fruit is a great addition to any salad when paired with savory ingredients.
Another way to eat longan is adding it to fruit salads, it will wow your friends and family.
Longan goes well with mint and citrus fruit, such as caviar limes.
Check out this idea below for more elaborate pairings.
Longan Juice
Ingredients:
- Five longans without seed and skin
- Coconut milk or water (200 ml)
- One banana
The steps for preparation are simple: First, chop the bananas into smaller pieces, then set them aside.
Blend banana pieces, longans, coconut milk, or water, and then pour into a blender.
Then, blend until smooth. Refrigerate until serving.
How do you store longan fruit
Longan fruit should be stored in a cool, dry place.
If you plan on storing it for more than a few days, you may want to refrigerate it. This will help to keep the fruit fresh and tasty for longer.
FAQs about how to eat longan
There is no one “best” way to eat longan fruit.
However, if you choose to eat it, longan is a delicious and nutritious treat that you’re sure to love.
You can enjoy it as is, add it to a fruit salad, or use it to make a delicious smoothie or ice cream.
Longan fruit is packed with nutrients that are essential for good health.
For instance, it is a good vitamin C and potassium.
Additionally, longans are a good source of antioxidants that can help to protect cells from the damage of free radicals.
Longan fruit can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to a few days.
If you plan on storing it for longer than a few days, you may want to refrigerate it in a plastic bag or container.
This will help to keep the fruit fresh and tasty for longer.
No specific number of longans can be eaten daily, as each person will have different needs.
However, as a general rule, it is best to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables daily to get the most benefit.
You can find longan in most Asian markets. You may also be able to find them in some specialty grocery stores or online.
When choosing longan, look for plump fruits with shiny, intact skins. Avoid fruits that are dull looking or have blemishes on the skin.